We have had a lot of new snow this month. Only one storm brought excellent packing snow which is heavy to shovel but is necessary for building snowmen and snow forts. With very cold temperatures, the snow becomes lighter and blows around easily in the wind. This is the kind of snow that prompts some people to throw themselves backwards on the ground and move their arms and legs to make a snow angel.
I don't know what prompted the first person to make a snow angel but wonder if mammals have some inborn biological urge to roll around in the snow. We were out in Old Order Mennonite country on the weekend looking for the Snowy Owl and came across this farm where several big horses were in a field near the road.
On a side note, I found the house itself very interesting as three very different structures were attached together making a large, likely multi-generational family residence. There was no electricity to the houses or the barn.
All five horses were romping in the fresh snow and one by one they dropped down to roll in the icy flakes. It was very comical to see these big animals on their backs kicking their legs in the air for the apparent fun of it. Soon they were all covered in white except for their eyes as they continued to run around and play.
Our dog acts the same way. He loves fresh snow and rolls in it over and over again. The Becka took this 15 second video clip of Dakota in the snow on the deck. He left his imprint all over the place and whether it looks like a dog angel or not is up to the imagination. All I know for sure is that snow makes this old dog act like a young pup.
Do you know why animals act this way?
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They were just horsing around.
ReplyDeleteI had no clue that horses did that.
ReplyDeleteWhat an amazing sight to see!
They sure are having fun!
ReplyDeleteGreat post and photo's!!
ReplyDeleteTake care and thank you for sharing with us!!
Well, seeing is believing! I've never seen a horse do that before. Dos do it all the time...but horse? Cool!
ReplyDeleteHorse angels in the snow?! Wonderful photos - at first I thought they were folk art paintings!!
ReplyDeleteMy horses and dog love to roll in the snow, too. Great photos! It's a challenge to be right there and catch them in the act.
ReplyDeleteHi Ruth....I havn't the faintest idea....but I would just love to join them!!!
ReplyDeleteGreat myworld shots, I had no idea horses did that.
ReplyDeleteCheers!
Regina In Pictures
lovely photos, i hope no more snow for us.
ReplyDeletethanks for visiting mine. :)
Wow. I would love to live through one snowy winter. We had horses when I was a kid, but they never experienced snow, either! Beautiful!
ReplyDeleteI think anvilcloud said it best.
ReplyDeleteEnjoy your week. I'll probably see you on skywatch :=)
Beats me. I mean some animals enjoy mud or dust baths, but that is usually for protection from harsh sun or insects.
ReplyDeleteLove horses. I love ranches. Looks fun.
ReplyDeleteWhat fun pictures. I love seeing those big horses rolling around playing in the snow.
ReplyDeleteInteresting behavior by the animals.I find the house very unique as well.I have to wonder how many architects it had.
ReplyDeleteBlessings,Ruth
Well why not? What else is there to do in white fluffy snow? Seriously, I've never seen horses "horse around" (thanks anvilcloud) making snow angels. Such fun!
ReplyDeleteG'day from Australia, where it's 100 degrees in my home town today. I've never seen horses do that before!
ReplyDeleteWhat a wonderful winter wonderland you live in. Great images and thanks for sharing your world with us all.
ReplyDeleteWhat fun - I didn't know horses would do that, too.
ReplyDeleteRemember those dry shampoos you could spray on your hair? Sold back in the 70's, I think? Called Psssst?
ReplyDeleteMaybe they feel the urge to shampoo.
Oh...I love those pictures of the horses and the OOM farm. They are so unique and interesting.
ReplyDeleteRolling horses and dog is actually quite common. I think that there are a few reasons that they do it. and in this case it is just for sure enjoyment and pleasure. Dakato, what a silly pup. Lexie loves the snow too. Must be a lab thing.
Good luck with the Owl Prowl. I will definitely let you know if I see birds not on your list.
Great shots. I am not comfortable in the winter, even without snow, so I am content watching your pictures!
ReplyDeleteHorses and dogs like the wind too ... so exciting, fresh and invigorating.
ReplyDeleteThat is so funny! They obviously don't feel the cold :)
ReplyDeleteI don't know why animals or humans do it! May be because it's so clean? For animals there could be another reason; to get rid of nasty buggers or just for fun! Cats don't like snow, at least ours didn't.
ReplyDeleteI love it when the horses roll and wriggle. My cat does that on the carpet about 3 days before rain. She is much more accurate than the weather forcasts.
ReplyDeleteThe last time I was somewhere where the snow was deep enough to buffer the fall backwards to make a snow angel was in1969 in Vermont. That is almost prehistoric. We have built igloos and snow families a lot though since then.
Lovely post oa animal behaviour and white. white snow.
It must just feel great? Love those shots Ruth! :c) Unbridled joy!
ReplyDeleteVery fun.
ReplyDeleteAbsolutely gorgeous! The horses in the snow are beautiful. They must have just been turned out to play. I can almost hear them snorting. Cold air makes horses frisky!
ReplyDeletethe top one looks like a painting.
ReplyDeleteLooks like they were having fun.
ReplyDeleteI guess it must feel good or they wouldn't bother doing it. Maybe I'll try it some time.-Nice photos and funny video.
ReplyDeleteThanks to all who visited and commented!
ReplyDeleteDakota reminds me of a seal rolling around in the snow!
ReplyDeleteThose horses are sure pretty--it must have been fun to watch them playing in the snow.
amazing! I would to see them doing that for real..it's probably an equivalent of having a good back rub:)
ReplyDelete